It's A Big GO For The DouglassSchool/V.O. Dobbins Center Renovations!

It's full steam ahead for renovations and improvements to our beloved Douglass High School building.

At its work session Monday afternoon July 19th with many Riverview and South Central residents in the audience, the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen gave its approval to proceed with the renovation of the V.O. Dobbins Community Center, also known as the old Douglass School building.

THE KINGSPORT BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN AT THEIR ANNUAL RETREAT BACK IN FEBRUARY. PHOTO COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES NEWS

At their retreat back in February, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen got most of the specifics of the Douglass/V.O. Dobbins Center renovation. At the work session on Monday, Alderman Larry Munsey, one of the longest-serving members of the BMA, told the group "we've been talking about and working on this project for years, and I'm ready to move forward with it." Other comments from the aldermen suggested that the renovation stay on track, and the timeline that has been presented.

Architect Dineen West, along with designers and planners, will now move forward with the construction design for the project, review the recommendations from the State Fire Marshall's Office, and explore ways to fund the project with New Market Tax Credits. A recommendation on funding the project with those, will come in 60 days.


"Our objective was to present the project to the board, with four objectives in mind," says Chris McCartt, Kingsport's Development Services Manager. "First, we wanted to bring the mayor and the aldermen up to speed, present the leases that prospective tenants (the United Way, the American Red Cross, the American Legion and others) have agreed to, show a timeline for construction, and present the financing options available to fund the construction."

"As far as financing," McCartt says, "we have three options for that. Number one, we can borrow bonds.. number two, we could have someone come in, purchase the building, pay for the renovations, and the city could buy the building back from them.. and number three, we could use New Market Tax Credits to fund the construction costs, which would be the most economical way. The BMA expressed a real desire to see something come back on the New Market Tax Credits within the next 60 days, and we are now working on that full steam ahead."

RIVERVIEW-SOUTH CENTRAL RESIDENTS LISTEN WITH INTEREST

The New Market Tax Credit Program, established by Congress in December of 2000,
provides tax incentives to induce private sector, market-driven investment in businesses and real estate developments located in economically distressed communities across the nation.

Riverview and South Central Kingsport is considered an economically distressed community, thus qualifying for inclusion in the New Market Tax Credit Program.

"Our mission now is to bring in a consultant on the New Market Tax Credits," says McCartt. "Now that we have the board's approval to continue, we can move forward with design plans, which keeps it on pace with construction, which is scheduled to start this fall."


Many Riverview and South Central residents were present at the Board's work session. Wallace Ross, Jr. was concerned about funding, which was explained would come mostly from the New Market Tax Credits. He and others also mentioned that they had seen several times the renovation being called in public "The Kingsport Non-Profit Center," and were quite concerned the name "V.O. Dobbins Sr. Community Center" would not survive the renovation.

Mayor Dennis Phillips stressed that the name of the building would not change, and the building would always carry the name of former principal and community statesman V.O. Dobbins, Sr.

When Douglass closed as a school in 1966, most of the building stood empty. It faced an uncertain future until the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency moved in, and Headstart classes were established there. Prior to that, Headstart classes were scattered in classrooms all over Kingsport. When the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department moved many of its programs into the old Douglass gym, the building was named the V.O. Dobbins Community Center, named after the distinguished Douglass principal who devoted his life to educating the area's black children.


Johnnie Mae Swaggerty inquired about the status of the Douglass Auditorium, and was told it would have to be demolished because the asbestos clean-up inside of it, would cost too much. She was quite pleased that Alderman Larry Munsey noticed the contingent of concerned residents from Riverview and South Central Kingsport, and invited them to speak.


Louetta Hall said most of the group listened with interest, as the BMA discussed the Douglass/V.O. Dobbins Center remodeling. "The BMA also talked about the multi-purpose area, that would also be the home of the Douglass Alumni Association," she says. "They mentioned that we would have part of the area, much like the shared rooms are in the Kingsport Rennisance Center."

Please Be There To Show Your Support!

Part of our heritage as Douglass Alumni and descendants will soon be decided on Monday, May 19th at 3 PM, in the City Council Room of the Kingsport City Hall.






That will be the meeting when Kingsport Mayor Dennis Phillips, Vice Mayor Ben Mallicote, and Aldermen Ken Marsh, Larry Munsey, Pat Shull, Valerie Joh, and Jantry Shupe will all listen to discussion, and then decide whether to renovate our beloved and historic Douglass High School building, also known as the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Community Center, named after native statesman V.O. Dobbins, Sr.


Professor Dobbins was a principal man, but he was also a man of principle. He believed that, despite getting hand-me-down books and equipment, that deficit could be best managed if our children of Riverview and South Central Kingsport be taught with love and respect. Of the proposed renovation of Douglass, he would probably say "it's probably a good thing, but only if such renovation would benefit and be supported by ALL of the community, and not just part of it."


The countdown is about to end, as you can see above. Please plan to show your support for renovating one of the historic cornerstones of our community, by attending the meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen when they bring the matter up for discussion on Monday, May 19th at 3 PM, in the City Council meeting room at City Hall in Downtown Kingsport. Hearing the board's decision for our neighborhood is a privilege for anyone hoping to take part in government, but even if you can only stay for a few minutes, your presence will be appreciated.

I have also prepared a short DVD presentation that the BMA will see, that will detail the support I have heard in the community about the proposed renovation. It's a short history of the school, from what people have told me, is the RIVERVIEW point of view.

If you cannot be there, please email a quick note of support for the renovation project. Please send them to City Manager John Campbell at:

campbellj@ci.kingsport.tn.us

And copy the email to:

Jeff Fleming, Assistant City Manager for Development: fleming@ci.kingsport.tn.us
Chris McCartt, Development Services Manager: mccartt@ci.kingsport.tn.us

Knowledge is Power, and the more people we have at City Hall with knowledge, the more that people in power will listen to us, and consider things that are important TO us.

Next Door To Riverview: What's Planned for An Old Neighbor?

City planners study rezoning of Kingsport Foundry site


Rezoning would help improve one of the gateways into the downtown area and prevent the owner of the foundry property from putting a metal reclamation facility on the site.

THIS STORY COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS

By MATTHEW LANE
mlane@timesnews.net




KINGSPORT — Mayor Dennis Phillips is still pushing for the Kingsport Foundry property to be rezoned and has sent a formal request to the city’s planning department to explore that possibility.


Earlier this month, the Kingsport Economic Development Board voted to ask the city to rezone several properties downtown from M-2 (general industrial) to B-2 (central business district). The properties are bounded by Main, Sullivan, Market and Unicoi streets and include the Kingsport Foundry and old Jack’s Restaurant property.
Phillips sent a formal request to the Kingsport Regional Planning Commission on Thursday, asking planners to initiate a study to determine the appropriate land use designation for the property in that area of downtown. During its regular meeting Thursday night, planning commissioners voted to accept the request and directed city planners to look at the industrial areas of downtown.
Alan Webb, Kingsport’s planning manager, said the department would treat the request as a rezoning request.
“We’ll notify all of the property owners and let them know their property will be discussed,” Webb said.
The study will look at the existing land use, changes in the area, and the recommended land use for the property. Webb said he hopes the study will be complete by the Planning Commission’s June meeting.


The reasons behind the rezoning — as discussed at the KEDB meeting — would be to help improve one of the main gateways into the downtown area and to prevent the owner of the foundry property from putting a metal reclamation facility on the site.
“If we’re looking at the downtown area we’re slowly seeing a change, manufacturing leaving the downtown area. In that block it’s not been used for its zoned purpose for quite some time,” said Larry Estepp, chairman of the KEDB. “We should try to start using it for a better purpose in today’s environment.”




Estepp said the KEDB plans to purchase the old Jack’s restaurant located on Main Street and would like to buy the foundry property and an adjacent 0.6 acre site, where the old E.J. Smith Oil Co. stood. The KEDB made an offer on the foundry property last year but never heard back from the owner.
Estepp said the KEDB has no plans for those properties, other than to clean them up and sow some grass on them.
Although the city can rezone a property without the owner’s permission, there is at least one unknown in regards to the foundry p r o p e r t y.
Webb said the city’s legal department is investigating whether or not the existing business would be grandfathered and not have to comply with the requirements of the new zone. Webb said if a nonconforming business stops operation for 30 months, it couldn’t be re-established.
“They would have to have a plan on what they propose to do and meet today’s ordinances with landscaping and paved parking areas or tear down what’s already there and clean it up,” Webb said. “(The owners) should not be able to haul something onto the property. They have to present a plan to the building department.”
Webb said he thinks the property should be zoned B-2, adding that the city’s land use plan, completed in 1998, shows the property as B-2.


“Our long range plan is basically to eventually turn the industrial part of downtown into the B-2 central business district,” Webb said.
Jeff Fleming, assistant city manager for development, said the city has had some discussions with the owners of the foundry property and will continue to try and forge a working relationship.
“We’d very much like to have a positive and productive relationship with the owners, and obviously there has been some miscommunication over a period of time. I just think we need to continue to talk and see where we can mutually benefit from working together,” Fleming said.
The foundry closed in late 2003 after failing to emerge from bankruptcy reorganization.
The New Shenandoah Co. LLC acquired the foundry property in December 2004 for an undisclosed amount. Since then, most of the building and equipment have been removed, but the frame of a large building still remains.


The Kingsport Foundry had operated on Main Street since 1927. A manufacturer of steel castings, the foundry ran into financial problems a few years ago when foreign competitors started dumping cheap steel imports onto American shores.

Vic Danger (a.k.a. Victor Simon): Local Musician Makes Good

Our own Victor Simon is coming home for a concert at Fun Fest's Rhythm in Riverview on July 14th.


My good friend Vince Staten (right), popular columnist with the Kingsport Times-News has written several stories about your Douglass Alumni website, that help portray a positive image of Douglass High School and the Riverview-South Central Kingsport neighborhood. Vince knew personally and has talked to many of our residents over the years, and has also written a story on Victor Simon, a.k.a. Vic Danger. With Vince's permission, I have posted the Victor story here for you to read:





STORY COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS:


Kingsport native Victor Simon played at Jenna Bush's wedding last weekend as part of the Tyrone Smith Revue. I profiled Vic in the Times News two years ago. Here is that column from March 4, 2006:

Victor Simon was in the seventh grade at Sevier in the mid-1960s when his older brother talked him into going out for football. "My cousin Tony Horton came running over with his helmet off and a big cut on his lip. He said, ‘You coming out for football?' I took one look at him and I said, ‘No, I'm going out for band.'"



And that's how Vic came to be the first black member of the Sevier band. And it's also how Vic launched his musical career, a calling that has found him traveling the world with Harry Belafonte, playing with the Drifters and Mary Wells and Larry Coryell, and endorsing a signature line of bass guitars for Waterstone Guitars as well as amps for Madison Amp and guitars for Dean Guitar.

But it all started at Sevier on that fall afternoon 40 years ago.





VICTOR SIMON'S LAST DOUGLASS PICTURE - 1965

Kingsport had just integrated its schools, and Vic was in the first group of students to come over from Douglass. "Things were pretty tough at first, but then I met Mrs. Gail Shields." She was his first musical mentor and the mom of Jim Shields, who would soon be one of his best friends and a band mate.

"She took her time to let me know I was good enough to do something with my music. She was a white lady that took an interest."

Music began to overshadow integration, and Vic was soon settled in. "That's when I made some of my best friends."

He was playing drums in the Sevier band, but on the side he was working on his first love, the bass guitar. Then a friend from the neighborhood, Arthur Flack, invited him to join his group, Kingsport's legendary party band The Scat Cats.

Vic says he and Arthur formed a bond. "He told me how to project. If it feels good and sounds good, go with your instincts. It was a good education, and I got that R&B feel."

There would be other inspirations in Vic's musical career: local bass player Ray Horton; Marshall Davis of the Drifters; childhood pal Skip Templeton ("We never thought about black and white, just the music we made together"); sax player Thomas Jackson; singer Curtis Springs ("one of the greatest singers I've ever heard"); and Mark McMillan.

But Arthur Flack, who died two years ago, was his first inspiration.

After graduating from D-B in 1971, Vic knocked around in various bands. "I had the opportunity to be in all sorts of crime." He chose another direction. He enlisted in the Navy where he was a corpsman and played in Triple Threat, a Navy band.

His big break came in 1992 after he had left the Navy and moved back home to work as an electrician. "I was working at Tennessee Eastman. I got home from work, and there was a message on the answering machine. This guy said, ‘This is Norman Riley. I work for Harry Belafonte Enterprises.'"

Riley said he had seen Vic play bass, and they wanted him to join Belafonte's world tour. "At first I thought they were joking. The next day I told my foreman, ‘I've got to make an important phone call to Harry Belafonte.' They laughed me out of the shed."

He sneaked off and made the call during his lunch break. "They told me, ‘We want you to join the tour.' They told me the pay scale, and I started shaking."

When his wife, the former Greta Maxwell, got home that night, "I told her, ‘Honey, I made that call and I'm going to be playing with Harry Belafonte.'"



He toured the world with Belafonte for a year. When that ended, he signed on with the Tyrone Smith Revue, an 11-man group that is one of the hottest party bands in the South. That was nine years ago. He's still with the Revue performing under the name Vic Danger.








Vic was in town earlier this week for the funeral of his mother-in-law.

He hopes to come back this summer for Fun Fest. It's a matter of matching up his band's style with another act.

Vic really wants to play for his old hometown. Not just to show what he can do. But to show what can be done. "I want young people here to know what they are capable of doing. I feel like I'm highly favored by God. He has thoroughly blessed me. That's the reason I'm here talking to you now. I know the power. Get in there, and Jesus will get your back."


Posted (via Blogspot) by Vince Staten

Change in Time for the Historic Douglass/V.O. Dobbins Renovation Vote!

The countdown continues to the decision on the Historic Douglass High School Renovation, but the time it comes up before the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen has now been moved back 90 minutes from its original time.

We just received this note from Chris McCartt, the assistant to the Kingsport City Manager:

"Please note that Monday's BMA Worksession has been moved up to 3:00 pm in
order to allow time at the end of the meeting for budget discussions."

The Kingsport BMA will be deciding whether to fund about eight million dollars to renovate the building, also known as the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Community Center.

I have put together a short video DVD presentation of the historic Douglass building from a Riverview point of view relating what the building means to the community, that will be shown to the Board of Mayor and Alderman during their work/discussion session before the vote. The BMA will also hear from interested citizens and potential building tenants at that time.

Please spread the word and make plans to be there this coming Monday, May 19th at 3 PM in the City Hall Council Room, located on the Second Floor of City Hall on Center Street for this historic discussion and vote.

Pastor Thomas R. Turner Passing

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Pastor Thomas R. Turner, 46, went home to be with the Lord Sunday (May 11, 2008) at Medical College of Va. in Richmond, Va. after suffering with an illness for a year.


Born in Bluefield, W.Va., he moved to Kingsport as a child. In 2004, he moved to Martinsville, Va. to pastor a church.
At Mt. Zion Tabernacle Holiness Church, he was the assistant pastor, treasurer and Sunday school superintendent. At Temple of Christ, he was the pastor and president over the Western District Region #1 Jubilee.
He was preceded in death by his father, Elder James C. Turner; and his sister, Barbara J. Turner.
Surviving are his mother, Pastor Lillie R. Turner of Kingsport; wife, Mrs. Lucy Turner of Martinsville, Va.; daughters, Mandie N. Turner and Brittany M. Turner of Winston-Salem, N.C.; six sisters, Lelia M. Latta (William) of Columbus, Ohio, Ruby T. Gaylord of Morristown, N.J., Tempie R. Mc-Connell (Al) of Toledo, Ohio, Dorothy Partridge and Susie Schofield, both of Columbus, Ohio and Janet E. Parks of Nashville, Tenn.; three brothers, James E. Turner (Margaret) of Kingsport, Lester L. Turner (Robyn) of Marion Va. and Brady A. Turner of Columbus, Ohio; brother-in-law, Nathaniel Woods of Kingsport; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at Central Baptist Church. Friends may visit or call at the residence of: 408 Dunbar St., Kingsport.
Funeral services for Pastor Thomas R. Turner will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church with Bishop Kelvin Cash officiating. Interment will follow the service at Church Hill Memorial Gardens, Church Hill, Tenn.
Expression of love and online condolences can be sent via e-mail at raclarkfuneralservice@yahoo.com.
Pastor Thomas R. Turner and family are in the care of R.A. Clark Funeral Service, Inc. www.raclarkfuneralservice.com.

Fine-tuning: Little Big Town, Gavin DeGraw, Rodney Atkins To Headline Fun Fest Concerts

General admission tickets for each evening concert go on sale June 21 at the Fun Fest Store in Kingsport Town Center.



By JEFF LAMBERT
jlambert@timesnews.net

KINGSPORT — Gavin DeGraw, Rodney Atkins and Little Big Town are among the scheduled concerts for this year’s Fun Fest celebration, organizers announced Wednesday.
The three main concerts will be held at Dobyns-Bennett High School’s J. Fred Johnson Stadium.
The three headlining concerts are a cross-section of country and contemporary music, from the piano-driven alternative sounds of DeGraw to the lofty vocal stylings of country quartet Little Big Town.



Country music chart-topper Atkins will perform on Thursday, July 17, presented by AGC Flat Glass. Atkins was named Top New Male Vocalist in 2006 by the Academy of Country Music. His current album, “If You Are Going Through Hell,” has produced four No. 1 singles. His country-minded song titles include “Wasted Whiskey” and “A Man on a Tractor.” Country artist Ashley Gearing will open.






Singer-songwriter DeGraw will perform on Friday, July 18, presented by Domtar and Eastman Credit Union. DeGraw’s first album, “Chariot,” went platinum with more than 1 million sales. A 2008 eponymous release was the top seller on iTunes during its first few days in stores, when it dropped early last week. The prime-time television crowd may recognize DeGraw’s single, “I Don’t Want To Be,” as the opening song to the teen drama “One Tree Hill.”
Opening for DeGraw will be Saving Jane, a return performer to Fun Fest, and local artist Brinley Addington.



Little Big Town, a 2007 Country Music Association Horizon Award winner, will perform on Saturday, July 19, presented by Eastman Chemical Co. The country vocal quartet has been nominated for Top Vocal Group at the 2008 Academy of Country Music awards. Their second album, “The Road to Here,” produced four top 20 hits, including the country single “Boondocks.” Little Big Town will follow opening act Trey Hensley, a Jonesborough native.
General admission tickets for each evening concert go on sale June 21 at the Fun Fest Store in Kingsport Town Center. Prices for the three headlining acts will be $7.50 in advance through July 10, and $10 beginning July 11. Online sales begin June 21 for $10 per ticket.



“These are great concerts at a price that would be hard to find in other venues for the same entertainment,” said Fun Fest Chairman Olan O. Jones Jr.
Friends of Festus packages are a value-added option for concert goers. Friends of Festus seating packages are $100 for two seats, chairs provided, for one concert night or $200 for those planning to attend all three evening concerts.
The package also includes a reserved parking area close to the stadium and a $15 Fun Fest merchandise gift certificate. Friends of Festus packages are available now at the Fun Fest office at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, 151 E. Main St.
Fun Fest concert goers will also be treated to the sounds of New Orleans during the celebration. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Boys will perform at Hot New Orleans Night on Friday, July 11, in Glen Bruce Park. The event is free to the public.



Kingsport native Vic Danger — also known as Victor Simon — will play with his band the Voodoo Doctors on Monday, July 14, at the newly renovated V.O. Dobbins Park. The Zulu Connection, a stilt-walking troupe, will also perform.







For those seeking a quieter night on the town, eight-time Dove Award-winning pianist Dino Kartsonakis will perform at the Toy F. Reid Employee Center on Saturday, July 12. Tickets for

Vic Danger (a.k.a. Victor Simon) Is Coming Home For A Concert!

THIS FROM JEFF FLEMING:
Vic Danger and the Voodoo Doctors will perform at the free Rhythm in Riverview Concert on Monday, July 14 at the newly renovated V.O.Dobbins Park.

Kingsport native Vic Danger (also known as Victor Simon) performed last weekend at the Jenna Bush wedding with the Tyrone Smith Revue.

Vic currently lives in Nashville and is the founder and chairman for the National Alliance Musicians Network. Opening for Vic Danger and the Voodoo Doctors will be The Zulu Connection. These former New Orleans residents perform stilt walking and educate the public on African customs and history.

Rhythm in Riverview is sponsored by Nathan Vaughn-State Farm Insurance, The Kingsport Housing Authority, The South Central Kingsport Development Corporation, The Kingsport Community Foundation, The Arts Fund of East Tennessee, The Kingsport Arts Council and WKPT-TV.

Kingsport bassist brings the boogie to Bush wedding

‘George W. Bush treated us first class, and he always does. On his behalf I’ll say he certainly knows how to treat his band.’
— Victor Simon

THIS STORY COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS

By RAIN SMITH
rsmith@timesnews.net



It’s been called the wedding of the year; details shrouded in secrecy and the locale flanked by paparazzi. But one Kingsport native was, literally, front and center at Jenna Bush’s wedding.


AT RIGHT: Victor Simon, a Kingsport native and member of the Tyrone Smith Revue, played Saturday at President Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas, at the celebration following Jenna Bush’s wedding.



As a member of the Tyrone Smith Revue, bassist Victor Simon performed Saturday at President Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas. Classic rock, funk, r&b — the 1971 Dobyns-Bennett graduate laid down rhythms for the post-ceremony celebration.
“This wedding was the tops. It was absolutely gorgeous out there on the ranch,” Simon said. “We were right in the heart of the mix. It was a very close crowd, 200 people.”
From Kool and the Gang to KC and the Sunshine Band, Simon said, “Whatever they wanted to hear, we laid down.” While they played for more than three hours, the band was already familiar with the first family’s musical tastes.
In 2003, they provided the soundtrack to a private Christmas party at the White House. In 2005, they entertained at Bush’s inauguration ball.
“For them to take us into their little fold like that, I really felt good about it,” Simon said. “For them to take us on for the third time was quite an honor.”
In fact, it was Saturday’s bride, Jenna, who introduced the Bushes to the Tyrone Smith Revue. Simon says she watched them perform about six years ago at a fraternity in Austin, Texas, and has recommended them for shindigs ever since.
And while the Bush daughters have been labeled party girls by tabloids, Simon says all in attendance stayed on an “even keel” Saturday night.
“A lot of other weddings start out pretty slow then get pretty wild,” Simon said. “This one kept a good lid on it. Everybody just had a good time.”
One of the gig’s many perks was the band’s vantage point for the wedding ceremony. With the stage arranged about 100 feet away, Simon said he was able to watch the entire wedding party walk the aisle.
He even got a nod from the father of the bride.
“When the president first looked over he gave me a little wave, then he gave me a salute,” Simon said. “I saluted him back, and he gave me the thumbs-up. I was glad that he’d recognized me and was taking the time to do that while walking down the aisle.”
Like most grooms, Simon said Henry Hager seemed relieved to move past the “I do” and on to the reception.
“That boy was like, ‘OK, that’s it, it’s on now,’ ” Simon said with a hearty laugh.
Though it’s key to remain professional in such a setting, Simon was also able to bag some mementos from Saturday’s festivities. Jenna and Laura Bush autographed one of his guitars, while the Secret Service presented him a gold presidential coin.
And though President Bush endures much criticism due to the war in Iraq and crumbling economy, Simon says he knows how to entertain his guests — and make the performers feel equally as welcome.
“Regardless of the politics or anything — and at something like this it didn’t matter — George W. Bush treated us first class, and he always does,” Simon said. “On his behalf I’ll say he certainly knows how to treat his band.”
Spending most of his time in Nashville and on the road, Simon, aka Vic Danger, will soon return to Kingsport. Vic Danger and the Voodoo Doctors, composed of many Tyrone Smith Revue members, will hit a Fun Fest stage this July.
For more on Victor Simon visit www.waterstoneguitars.com.

Van Dobbins, Jr. Named to United Way Executive Committee

It seems that Van Dobbins, Jr. is always on a mission.


Most of us at any given point in the day, see Van Dobbins, Jr. driving around Riverview and South Central Kingsport, delivering items to folks, volunteering his time to help neighborhood residents and take part in various programs in the community. He has helped many people and organizations in the community through his time, expertise, and occasionally, muscle.

Now, another Kingsport agency will be taking some of his valuable time.

Van Dobbins, Jr. has been named Community Volunteer, an Executive Committee position with the United Way of Greater Kingsport.



Along with Mr. Dobbins, the 2008 other United Way officers are President Charlie Floyd, Vice President Rick Witt, Secretary Greg Neal and Treasurer Thomas Kennedy. New board and executive committee members are Jack Bales, Sullivan County Board of Education; Beulah Ferguson, First Tennessee Development District; John Campbell, city of Kingsport; Greg Neal, Wellmont Health System; Ron Nussman, Domtar; Ted Fields, TriSummit Bank; Lorrie Cooper, AGC Flat Glass; Greg Boehling, Tennessee Electric; Barry Steadman, Steadman Design; Doug Bounds, Eastman Chemical; Terry Cunningham, Kingsport Housing and Redevelopment Authority; Dennis Spurgeon, Hertz; and Morris Baker, city of Kingsport. Returning board and executive committee members are E.G Souder, Phil Belcher, Alice Pope, Ron Bennett, Carolyn Pierson-Cook, Nigel House, Andy Wampler, Edna Kinner, Wanda Valentine, Mike Paulonis and Jim Nanney.

The Kingsport United Way will soon be the newest resident of Riverview, with new offices housed in a three-story office tower planned for the auditorium end of the old Douglass School-V.O. Dobbins Sr. Community Center.

The new board of directors of the United Way recently adopted a new mission, vision and core values for the organization. The new mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community to effectively address local health and human service needs. The vision is to be a model of excellence in achieving community health and human service solutions. The core values of the organization are caring, collaboration, excellence, integrity and service.



As folks in Riverview and South Central Kingsport already know, Van Dobbins, Jr. already fits these core values, and has for many years. We are proud of him. He is a fine example of volunteerism, humanitarianism, and philantropy in the community, but then as we remember, so was his father.

Countdown to Destiny: The Vote to Fund Renovations for Our Douglass High School Building

ATTENTION ALL DOUGLASS ALUMNI, RIVERVIEW-SOUTH CENTRAL KINGSPORT RESIDENTS, AND ALL OTHER SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF DOUGLASS!

See the countdown clock above?

It is now counting down the days, minutes and seconds to the time when the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen will vote in a work session, whether to fund the planned renovations for our beloved and historic Douglass High School Building. The funding will come up for a vote on the B-M-A agenda after discussion, next Monday, May 24, 2008, at 3 PM, in the City Hall Council Room, located on the Second Floor of City Hall on Center Street.

The United Way, the American Red Cross, Kingsport Parks and Recreation and other interested and planned tenants of the new building are all planning to have their people there, voicing their support for funding the renovation.


All Douglass Alumni and Riverview-South Central Kingsport residents interested in the future of the Douglass High School building should be at the meeting, as a show of support for this project in our neighborhood. You can also write letters that can be delivered to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.. just email those to me.



Just remember.. NO appearance, NO voice, NO vote, NO say in what happens in our neighborhood.

Douglass Alumni to Help Fund Black D-B Seniors Picnic; I.R.S. Filing Preps, Upcoming Ebony Club Events

Our graduating African-American Seniors at D-B are in for a special treat!

A picnic-party-celebration being planned for them is on a fast track, and is in the final stages of preparation. The event will be held at the Eastman Cabin, on Saturday, May 24, 2008, beginning at 2 PM.



At the Douglass Alumni Board of Directors meeting this past Saturday, Octavia Hampton and Monica Lewis-Patrick told the board they had located a vendor that will furnish food and drinks for the event, with the meal costing $6.25 per person. The meal will include choices of beef, pork and chicken, two sides and a drink. Other food will include hot dogs with chili and other food products.

The Board voted to allocate 300 dollars from its treasury to the picnic. Dawnella Ellis also told the group that 200 dollars, and with other donations, the total cost of 625 dollars will be covered.


In other business, the Board also reviewed two documents, the Conflict of Interest Policy from the I.R.S., and the Douglass Alumni Association Articles of Incorporation. Those two documents are central to the Association's filing for tax-exempt status to become a non-profit corporation. The board voted to adopt both documents into its charter, and a copy of both passed motions will be sent to Jeff Faulkerson, who is assisting the Board in its non-profit application with the I.R.S.

Lisa Williamson also told the group of two upcoming events, in which Douglass Alumni are cordially invited. The Ebony Alumni Club will hold an informational meeting and fish fry at Johnnie Mae Swaggerty's home, 950 Dale Street, Kingsport on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 12 Noon. Discussion as a group will include ways and incentives to get black students at D-B involved in the newly-revived Ebony Club at D-B.

Then on Friday and Saturday, August 8th and 9th, 2008, the Ebony Alumni Club, the Ebony Club and the CBS Alumni from Central Baptist Church will hold a Youth Explosion to celebrate Black Independence Day. The event will be held on the Douglass Ballfield. Visitors will be treated to music, plays, bands and fellowship, all from a positive point of view.



"We want it to be a day that our kids can say 'YES' to something," says Monica Lewis-Patrick. "They're constantly hearing 'NO:' 'no' to drugs, 'no' to pregnancy without marriage, 'no' to sex before marriage, 'no' to this, 'no' to that. We want to empower them with positive activities, not just fashion shows and food."






The Douglass Alumni Board also voted to take part in the event, by scheduling one of its "Book Fairs" both days of the event, as a fundraise for the Douglass Alumni Association. Long, lost school books that were recently discovered in the dusty lockers of the soon-to-be renovated Douglass High School will be cleaned up, polished, and sold at very reasonable prices to former students, alumni, and friends and relatives of those students, whose names are handwritten in the books' front covers.

A final order of business at the meeting, was the CALL TO ARMS for all Douglass alumni, Riverview and South Central residents, and all descendants of the neighborhood to please be present at the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen Work Session on May 19th at 4:30 PM in the Kingsport City Hall Council Room. The BMA is scheduled to vote on money to fund the renovation of Douglass High School. MORE ABOUT THAT IN A SEPARATE POSTING!

Special Called Meeting Of The Douglass Alumni Association Board of Directors

There is a special called meeting of the Douglass Alumni Association Board of Directors this coming Saturday, May 10th.

The meeting will be held at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall of St. Mark's Methodist Church in Kingsport.

The purpose of the meeting will be final discussion and deciding on participation in a special party and celebration for the graduating seniors at Dobyns-Bennett, plus any new business that merits consideration.

All board members are requested to be present.

New Vision Youth To Hold Card-Making Event

The New Vision Youth Kids will hold the 3rd annual Mother's Day Card-making party on Friday, May 9th, 2008, from 6 PM to 7 PM at the V.O. Dobbins Center Auditorium, 301 Louis Street.


All youth are invited and refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Johnnie Mae Swaggerty, New Vision Youth Director, 423-246-6623.

Riverview-South Central Neighbor Could Become Industrial Again

KEDB votes to ask city to rezone Kingsport Foundry property


City Manager John Campbell said the city could take the foundry property by imminent domain but would have to prove it had a viable public use for the property.

THE OLD KINGSPORT FOUNDRY.. IN ITS HEYDAY AT FULL MANUFACTURING STRENGTH, THE FOUNDRY LENT AN INDUSTRIAL PALOR OVER RIVERVIEW AND SOUTH CENTRAL KINGSPORT.

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF DOUGLASS EDITOR'S NOTE: WITH THE CITY PLANNING TO BEAUTIFY RIVERVIEW.. JUST ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS, HEAVY INDUSTRY MAY COME BACK. TRY AS IT MAY.. RIVERVIEW-SOUTH CENTRAL CANNOT SHAKE ITS INDUSTRIAL PAST.

THIS STORY COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS

By RICK WAGNER
rwagner@timesnews.net



KINGSPORT — Talk of a new metal reclamation business on the old Kingsport Foundry site has prompted a proposal to rezone the property and surrounding areas.
The rezonings — from M-2, general industrial district, to B-2, central business district — would include the old Jack’s Restaurant property the city’s industrial development board plans to buy. Officials also discussed Tuesday buying the foundry or acquiring it by imminent domain.
The foundry, restaurant and other downtown properties bounded by Main, Sullivan, Market and Unicoi streets soon will be rezoned from manufacturing to business if the Kingsport Economic Development Board and Mayor Dennis Phillips have their way.
Affected property would include the area around the already rezoned Kingsport Grocery Co. building and the old Slip-Not Belting building.
New Shenandoah Co. LLC owns the property, and company owner John Marotta of Erwin said Tuesday he would be against the rezoning because it would take away flexibility in utilizing the site.
“I do not have immediate plans. I have other bigger, projects that are keeping me working,” Marotta said by phone, although he said a metal reclamation business was a possibility for the site.
The KEDB voted Tuesday to ask the city to rezone the properties from M-2 to B-2. City Manager John Campbell said the city could take the foundry property by imminent domain but would have to prove it had a viable public use for the property.
The KEDB also voted to buy the old restaurant property, 808 E. Center St., for up to an appraisal of $140,000.
“If I was not mayor, I would buy that property for $140,000,” Phillips said.
KEDB unsuccessfully tried last year to buy the old Kingsport Foundry. The property is about 5.2 acres that is in disarray.
A representative of Shenandoah called Assistant City Manager for Development Jeff Fleming last week, saying the owner was considering placement of a metal reclamation business on the property and asked if the city still had interest in purchasing it.
“It is zoned appropriately and could be used for that,” Fleming said, adding that the rezoning could go before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen next month but it likely would be in July unless the Planning Commission agreed to hear it on an expedited basis later this month.
A property that is rezoned can continue with activities allowed under the old zoning, with a lapse of up to a year. However, board attorney Gorman Waddell said that operations had ceased at the site more than a year ago.
Fleming said no other property in that area has manufacturing, but Marotta said he could put some industrial activity there in short order to keep the grandfather clause alive. Phillips, in contrast, said the foundry site should be a gateway to downtown.
“We are going to do something to get that eyesore out of Kingsport,” Phillips said.


KEDB officials also discussed the possibility of buying and combining the foundry property, the adjoining Mullins and Quillen property and the restaurant property. Marotta said he once had options to by the Mullins and Quillen and restaurant sties.
“The discussion centers mainly about it (that area) being an entrance to the city,” said board member Lynn Johnson, who made the motion asking for the rezoning, seconded by Julie Bennett..
Fleming said the foundry and other two properties could be used as a green space park, a light industrial park or resold in smaller tracts for redevelopment.
KEDB officials Tuesday said they are still interested in the property, although they did not vote to make another offer. KEDB offered $660,000 last year and did not receive a counter offer or response, Estepp said. Marotta said the asking price was $1.2 million.
“That’s a negotiable number, but it’s not negotiable enough I’m going to cut (the price) in half,” Marotta said.
However, he said he would be more flexible if the KEDB would take the 5.2-acre foundry site and the .6-acre site of the old E.J. Smith Oil Co., which had contamination problems he said were deemed clean by the Environmental Protection Agency in December 2007 — with some maintenance required.
“I look forward to talking with them,” Marotta said.
KEDB Chairman Larry Estepp said land downtown generally sells for $30,000 to $50,000 an acres, and Phillips said a fair price for the foundry property was around $600,000 considering the land and a building on the property.
The board also discussed but took no action on the idea of the same rezoning, from M-2 to B-2, for the Supermarket Row area, including White’s Fresh Foods.
Fleming said the rezonings are the same as what the city did to the old Quebecor World plant and property, which Quebecor gave to the city last year.

4 New Youth-Build Homes Scheduled for Riverview

"So far, the level of community enthusiam has been wonderful in Riverview."

MORE PHOTOS IN THE PHOTO GALLERY


That word from Joe Wallen, program coordinator for the Youth Build program, an agency that will build four new homes in Riverview. The four Youth Build homes will be among the HOPE VI Development homes to be built on the site of the Historic Riverview Apartments, which were torn down last month.

Unlike the HOPE VI homes, the Youth Build homes will be for sale, to lower income residents, looking to become first-time home buyers.


You've probably seen the Youth-Build office and classroom. For the moment, the office is located in the old Emmitt Collins Grocery Store building on MLK/Lincoln, and the classroom is in the old Riverview Boys Club building right next door.

"For the moment," because these buildings, as well as all the other buildings on that side of Lincoln/MLK are scheduled to be torn down, as part of the HOPE VI development. That demolition includes the R.A. Clark Funeral Home, the Elks Lodge, the old Masonic Hall, Sarge's Place, and all the other buildings nearby.

Right now, the Youth-Build has a mission, towards a well-defined goal.. to put first-time homeowners and buyers into the American Dream.

"Typically for a four-person household to qualify, the total household income would have to be below $22,550 dollars a year, based on HUD guidelines," says Mr. Wallen. "Other factors, like Social Security disability income and the Families First program also qualify the household for a Youth Build home."

Youth Build helps prospective first-time homeowners arrange financing they can afford, and after attending homeowner classes and completing the course, financing packages range from a 30-year mortgage at 1% interest, or the family might qualify to get a 25-year mortgage at 0%. "We try to find the right package and along with the course training, the potential of them being able to keep the payments up and maintain the house, is much greater."

AT RIGHT, A NEW YOUTH BUILD HOME IN ELIZABETHTON

The Youth Build program just completed two homes in Elizabethton, one of which has finishing-up work to be done. The other is completed, and is occupied right now.

Funding for the Youth Build homes comes from the Eastern 8 Community Development Corporation, a regional non-profit partnership interested in promoting affordable housing.

Eastern Eight targets eight counties in Northeast Tennessee: Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington Counties, and is headquartered in Johnson City. The agency also provides homebuyer education, housing counseling and affordable mortgage packages for qualified residents.

BELOW, ANOTHER ELIZABETHTON YOUTH BUILD HOME

Eastern 8 pays for the home-building materials: lumber, nails, insulation, plumbing, electrical wiring, deck, shingles, vents, windows, and caulking. Youth Build provides the labor to raise the house into a liveable home.

"All of our construction trainees are 18 to 24 years old," Mr. Wallen says. "They are high-school dropouts with one or more barriers holding them back. They come into our Adult Education program, spending one week in class, then the next week working in the field building the homes in the program."


"Our goal is to get them a GED," says Mr. Wallen, "then after they finish the program, if they want to go on to trade school, to tech school and continue their education, we can help them by combining scholarships and grants at no cost to them, or we help them get on with local construction firms that can utilize the talents they have learned building homes."

"Most of the kids in our program have given up on education, or they feel the education system has given up on them," he says, "but once they get into the Youth Build program, they find out they're the ones in charge of their education, and that they're pretty good students after all."


"It's a win-win situation," he says. "Our students get a good quality trade education and training in something they can do well.. The new homes will raise the city's tax base, which in turn, raises the value of homes nearby. And most importantly, a person who's never owned a home before, gets to become a homeowner."

"Everybody wins."





Groundbreaking for the first two Youth Build Home in Riverview is scheduled around the first of next month, and the next 2 homes will be built a year from now. "We already have sites identified on the old Riverview Apartments site, one of which is on Lincoln/MLK Drive, across from where the old hairdresser shop used to be," Mr. Wallen says.

"Eastern 8 has given us a set of drawings," says Mr. Wallen, "and we can build any of the five different layouts. Each home consists of usually two to three bedrooms, 1 to 2 baths. They are single-level, basic rectangular homes with a truss roof."



70 years ago, a lot in Riverview sold for only $100 dollars, even though back then to African-Americans, that was considered a lot of money. 70 years later, Eastern 8 will pay up to $15,000 per lot for the Youth Build homes in Riverview. The homes are valued at $110,000 dollars. Youth Build will do about $70,000 dollars to actually build the homes, with the rest of the money going to amenities like appliances, a heat pump, plumbing, electrical wiring, insulation and landscaping.

"I grew up in Kingsport," says Mr. Wallen, "and this is very rewarding work. Realizing that Riverview has been considered a depressed area for many years, it's gratifying to see this infusion of money into the neighborhood."

"The people of Riverview really have something to look forward to."

Black Talent on Display: The 1978 D-B Talent Show

As discussions continue about bringing the new D-B Ebony Club under the sponsorship and guidance of the Douglass Alumni Association, one thing that has received a very positive response in the community, is the return of the Ebony Club Talent Show.

Past talent shows have showcased much of the musical and theatrical abilities of our young African-American children and students. These talent shows are a direct offshoot of the plays, shows and musicals that were required of every Douglass High School class generations ago.

CLICK ON THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE FOR A CLOSER VIEW

Principal and Professor V.O. Dobbins, Sr. made it mandatory that the talents of every student be featured in those shows every single year. Many of us overcame severe stage fright to play musical instruments, recite poetry, perform skits and generally entertain our Riverview-South Central audience with our various talents.

In the PHOTO GALLERY are some prime examples of the talent that came 12 years after Douglass closed. Thanks to Tim Mullen, you can see the African-American talent on display for the year 1978 in the 1978 Dobyns-Bennett High School Talent Show. You'll need the free Adobe 9 Flash Player to view the videos.

Enjoy!

Douglass Alumni Board Meeting: Welcoming the Future Sons and Daughters of Douglass

The Douglass Alumni Association is off to a good beginning with the future D-B Ebony Club.

MORE PICTURES OF THE MEETING IN THE PHOTO GALLERY

Current Alumni Board of Directors President Doug Releford told the group of the visit he and former Ebony Club sponsor and D-B teacher Dawnella Ellis had, with the almost 50 future juniors and seniors this past week.


"We had a wonderful meeting," Releford told the group. "I also ran into (Principal) Lovelace after the meeting, and he told me he was very glad to hear that the Douglass alumni would be sponsoring the Ebony Club. He said, there would be no problem with that, and he was thrilled that we would be doing that."

"He also said, anything he could do to help us, to just let him know," said Releford.
"Those were very encouraging words from the principal."

Board member Wallace Ross, Jr. asked if there would be an inside D-B teacher involved, as in the past, and Releford said, "no, our organization would be the sole sponsor. The parents of the club members would actually be the ones involved with running the club."


Both Monica Lewis-Patrick, who has a D-B graduating senior in the family, and Octavia Hampton spoke to the board about celebrations planned for the D-B seniors, and it was agreed that both of them would get together and coordinate their efforts together for one huge party celebration, to which the Douglass Alumni Association would help financially. The exact amount is to be determined at a later date.

Board member Ozine Bly says he'd heard of the D-B Ebony Club, but was unfamiliar with the workings of the former club. Dawnella told him and the group, the club was designed to encourage our young African-American students to promote them for excellence and achievement.. to give them their own club for a sense of belonging, since many of them did not belong to any of the clubs at D-B.

JESSICA HAMPTON AND PHILIP HAMILTON, D-B STUDENTS AND PROSPECTIVE EBONY CLUB MEMBERS


Virginia Hankins told the group, when integration happened in 1966, "our kids were lost. I was in the first class to integrate, and we went to Dobyns-Bennett, and we were lost. There was nothing for us, nothing planned for us to take part in. Later on, long after I graduated, they started the Ebony Club to give our students a chance to show off their talents and be involved in things."

Many of the former Ebony Club members in the group at the meeting, remembered the backing of Ms. Elizabeth Dudney, the first sponsor of the Ebony Club when it formed back in the 70's. "If she didn't know what we were about," said one of the former members, "she never showed it, because she was a great teacher sponsor, and if Dawnella hadn't kept us focused later, the club wouldn't have kept us on the right track."


The board then agreed to wait on the meeeting about a celebration for the D-B graduating seniors, to be discussed at a later called meeting.

In other business, Virginia mentioned a past board decision to continue giving out Alumni Scholarships in off-reunion years, like this one.

"We need to decide how many scholarships we are going to give out this year, and how much each scholarship will be worth," she said.

"Since we don't actually pay the money directly to the schools until August or September," president Releford said, "we can come up with an amount and a time frame, based on how many applications and essays we get back in."

THE DOUGLASS SCHOLARSHIP FORM---APPLICANTS: CLICK ON BOTH PICTURES, PRINT THEM, FILL THEM OUT AND SEND THEM TO: DOUGLASS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, P.O. BOX 1936, KINGSPORT, TN 37660








It was then agreed by the group, that as in the past, descendants of Douglass High School Alumni are eligible for the scholarships, and graduating D-B seniors will soon be getting applications like the one above, to send in to the Scholarship Committee for consideration.

Adjourning the board meeting, president Releford thanked the former Ebony Club members who attended, inviting them back and "don't make this your only meeting."

New Tenant For the V.O. Dobbins Center Possible; Douglass Alumni Association's New Neighbor?

American Legion members will vote on the city’s offer of space in the V.O. Dobbins Center on May 6.

THIS ARTICLE COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS

By MATTHEW LANE
mlane@timesnews.net



KINGSPORT — After months of uncertainty and behind-the-scenes discussions, the American Legion may have found a new home.


The city of Kingsport last month offered the American Legion of Kingsport space in the V.O. Dobbins Center. Kingsport is planning an $8 million renovation and expansion project for the center, adding just over 50,000 square feet of new space to the building. Over half of the new space is designated as a nonprofit center, and a portion of this space has now been offered to the American Legion.
Gerald Cardwell, commander of the American Legion in Kingsport, said the organization’s executive committee met on April 22 and unanimously voted to accept the city’s offer. Since the city needs a letter of intent from the American Legion before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s May 19 meeting, Cardwell has called a special meeting for May 6, where members will vote on the offer.
Cardwell said the V.O. Dobbins Center would be an ideal long-term solution for the American Legion.
“I feel great about it,” Cardwell said. “Long term it’s going to work out for us better I think.”
Under the terms of the lease, Cardwell said the rent is going to be in the neighborhood of $5 to $5.25 a square foot per year. With the American Legion needing around 1,000 square feet, the yearly rent would come to roughly $5,000 a year or $416 a month — nearly the same as what Cardwell was willing to pay to rent the old Highway Patrol building on Fort Henry Drive.
In addition, Cardwell said the city would furnish everything in the office, including utilities, janitorial services and common areas for restrooms, kitchen space and meeting rooms.
The BMA has yet to approve the bonds for the renovation work at the V.O. Dobbins Center, and the work is not expected to begin until September and take 11 to 13 months to complete. Which means the American Legion would either have to stay in its current site for another year and a half, or find another temporary home.
The American Legion sold its old facility — located behind Legion Pool — to Kingsport City Schools last fall for $327,000. In return, KCS allowed the veterans organization to keep its office in the building for six months until a new home was found. Recently, KCS gave the American Legion a three-month extension, and Cardwell said the city is working with them on some space in the Civic Auditorium until V.O. Dobbins becomes available.
“Our number one option is to keep the office there now. If (KCS) wants us to move, we’re OK with moving to the Civic Auditorium in the interim,” Cardwell said.
Mayor Dennis Phillips worked to broker the deal with the city and the American Legion, meeting with Cardwell last month and proposing the V.O. Dobbins Center as a possible home for the veterans organization.
“I think it’s a very good home for the American Legion at a very affordable price,” Phillips said. “It’s a good working situation that may be better for everyone. It gives us a good tenant at V.O. Dobbins, and it gives them a good permanent location that’s very affordable.
“It’s a very reasonable compromise.”
If the American Legion votes to accept the city’s offer, then it would take the issue of the old Highway Patrol building off the table.
After the American Legion sold its old facility to KCS, City Manager John Campbell approached the organization about the old Highway Patrol building at the corner of Eastman Road and Fort Henry Drive. The building now houses the city’s engineering department, and Campbell would like to see the department relocated back downtown.
The American Legion became excited with the prospect of getting that building, especially since Kingsport Tomorrow was working to build a new veterans memorial adjacent to the building.
However, the proposal hit several bumps in the road, with both sides not being able to reach an agreement over the sale or lease of the building — the American Legion either wanted to buy the building or lease it for around $400 a month, which didn’t sit well with some on the BMA.
In addition, other BMA members did not want to move engineering out, especially since the cost of doing so is estimated to be about $300,000.
Cardwell said he believes his members will approve the city’s offer next week and that there would not be a fight over the organization going into the old Highway Patrol building.
“It’s still an ideal spot for us, it would be,” he said. “But if we lease it, then we’d end up paying the utilities, so I still think we’re getting the best deal at the nonprofit center.”